Iran deadline looms as markets worry

The clock is ticking for US President Donald Trump's ultimatum to Iran, with a midnight deadline in Washington tonight that has sent jitters through global markets.

Oil prices edge up amid concerns over strait of hormuz

Crude futures have risen 1.2% to over $111 per barrel as traders fret about potential disruptions to Middle East oil flows, a key artery that Iran controls. The market is on edge, with investors snapping up safe-haven assets like gold and the US dollar.

Samsung, seen as relatively insulated from the conflict, has seen its shares jump 4.9% in Seoul as it reported an eightfold surge in quarterly profits, driven by soaring demand for its high-energy chips used in AI applications.

Meanwhile, the euro and yen held steady against the dollar, while Bitcoin and Ethereum both fell over 1.5% as investors sought refuge from the geopolitical turmoil.

Trump's ultimatum: 'iran can be defeated in a night'

Trump has threatened to destroy